Lowering a Fiat 500 Abarth Driver Seat. Fat Guy in a Little Car.

[@widgetsltd4085]

I think that the problems with installing this seat lowering kit are down to the many differences between the North American version of the 500 and the European version. For example, the entire restraint (seatbelts/airbags) system was redesigned by Chrysler in preparation for US sale. The seats and their mounting are almost certainly different on the US version (built in Toluca, Mexico BTW) compared with the Euro version. I know this because I was the guy who performed the initial technical training for the new Fiat dealers in the Western US, back in 2010-2011.

[@Surestick88]

I don't understand why they didn't make a kit the fit the stock bolts? It looks like the height reduction is going from the stamped bracket to the completely flat one and the new bolt hole positions doesn't affect that?

[@perplexhaze3353]

The site charges about 300 for brackets for both seats ...and its in the UK...but i might find a metal fabrication place near me see if they can make some

[@TheStockpile]

I tend to think that you could have the brackets made for less.

[@SeattleGooby]

I've been sitting on the same brackets for a while, just confused when I got the box. Thanks for making a video it helps clear it up a bit. Were the instructions helpful at all? I don't think my kit from TMC was supplied with any.

[@TheStockpile]

The instructions were mildly helpful- they showed what orientation the brackets needed to go. Overall, they were not great and the kit requires a huge about of chair rail modification. In the end though, I'm pretty happy with it.

[@SeattleGooby]

​@@TheStockpile That's great to know, I bought them for both sides after sitting in an abarth with a sunroof and having my head bump the top, but the slick tops have a few extra inches so I've been managing without. Something I'll have to visit eventually, bookmarking this video for the future when the time comes. Thanks for sharing your struggles!

[@das-nyc]

I was really hoping it was a no drill installation. I'd really love to get my butt an inch lower.

[@TheStockpile]

There would be no way to lower it without removing the existing chair rail studs. As much as it sucked, I'm pretty happy with it.

[@das-nyc]

@@TheStockpile Yeah as you said in the vid the studs would get in the way. But I was wishful lol. Don't have shop space unfortunately so I'll have to find someone to do it or figure out something. Thanks for the vid.

[@timfahey2349]

Thanks you saved me 300+ dollars too much work for too little gain

[@TheStockpile]

I gotcha 👊🏽

[@morenotech7087]

jjjjj

[@CeoOfSlow]

Yeah I bought this same kit and it made zero sense even with the instructions so I actually went to my local metal supplier and bought some precut trailer leaf spring brackets and cut and modified them my self

[@TheStockpile]

It's not an intuitive kit. But we MADE it work.

[@markomudrinic]

I've been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks for the video, I've just made the order. Are you happy with the overall position now?

[@TheStockpile]

Yes, the extra headroom is perfect!